Origin
Vassar, MI
Late night in Vassar on Saturday
Local time
3:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Vassar, MI to Livonia, MI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 56m
Distance
78 mi
126 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 48m
★
6 AM
1h 56m
8 AM
2h 13m
10 AM
2h 2m
12 PM
2h 0m
3 PM
2h 3m
5 PM
2h 12m
8 PM
1h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Vassar, MI
fish socks
Livonia, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 78-mile drive from Vassar, MI to Livonia, MI is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 56 minutes. Operating within the Midwest region, the route primarily utilizes local roads, with only about 14% of the journey on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, this trip is quite budget-friendly for a single day's excursion. It's a practical option for a quick connection between these Michigan communities, requiring no overnight stays and offering a direct, no-fuss travel experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39 miles from Vassar, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 78 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for most of this 78-mile journey. With only a 14% highway share, you'll be navigating a network of State Roads, including South State Road and North State Road for significant portions. The longest continuous stretch you'll experience is 13.3 miles on State Road, indicating a relatively dynamic driving experience with frequent changes in direction. This isn't a monotonous highway cruise; rather, it's a more engaged drive through local Michigan terrain.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 43 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Road is the longest continuous segment at about 13.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 50.8 miles in near Williams Lake Road.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78 miles you will encounter 24 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 50.8 miles (Williams Lake Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 58.6 miles (Richardson Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 63.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
50.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
Williams Lake Road
At end of road, turn right onto Williams Lake Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
58.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
|
Richardson Road
At end of road, turn right onto Richardson Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
63.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward 12 Mile Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 12 Mile Road
9
65.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 696 East, M 5 East, I 96 East: Detroit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 696 East, M 5 East, I 96 East: Detroit
7
76.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward Merriman Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 175
Toward Merriman Road
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Vassar, MI and Livonia, MI, road signs point toward M 5 East, Toledo and Detroit.
M 5 East
65.1 mi in
|
~1h 38m
Toledo
65.6 mi in
|
~1h 39m
Detroit
73.2 mi in
|
~1h 49m
|
via I 96
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Road | 13.3 mi | 18m |
| South State Road | 10.2 mi | 14m |
| North State Road | 10.1 mi | 15m |
| North Ortonville Road | 9.8 mi | 14m |
| I 275 | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| Williams Lake Road | 5 mi | 7m |
| Haggerty Connector | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| Jeffries Freeway | 3.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
State Road
— 13.3 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vassar, MI and Livonia, MI.
1
Start on M 15
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
East Huron Avenue
2
Turn right onto M 15
15 ft
·
0 sec
·
Goodrich Street
3
Continue on M 15
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
·
Goodrich Street
4
Continue on M 15
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
State Road
5
Continue on M 15
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
6
Continue on M 15
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
State Road
7
Continue on M 15
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
South State Street
8
Continue on M 15
10 mi
·
15 min
·
North State Road
9
Continue on M 15
10 mi
·
14 min
·
South State Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on M 15
9.8 mi
·
14 min
·
North Ortonville Road
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on M 15
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
12
Turn right onto Depot Road
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
Depot Road
13
Turn left onto White Lake Road
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
White Lake Road
14
Continue on Nelsey Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Nelsey Road
15
At end of road, turn left onto Maceday Lake Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Maceday Lake Road
16
At end of road, turn right onto Williams Lake Road
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Williams Lake Road
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto Cooley Lake Road
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Cooley Lake Road
18
Turn left onto Union Lake Road
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Union Lake Road
Use the left lane.
19
At end of road, turn right onto Richardson Road
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Richardson Road
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto Martin Road
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Martin Road
21
Enter roundabout onto Martin Parkway
155 ft
·
3 sec
·
Martin Parkway
22
Continue on Martin Parkway
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Martin Parkway
23
Enter roundabout onto Martin Parkway
111 ft
·
2 sec
·
Martin Parkway
24
Continue on Martin Parkway
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Martin Parkway
25
Enter roundabout onto Martin Parkway
148 ft
·
3 sec
·
Martin Parkway
26
Continue on Martin Parkway
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Martin Parkway
27
Enter roundabout onto M 5
168 ft
·
9 sec
·
Haggerty Connector
28
Continue on M 5
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Haggerty Connector
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward 12 Mile Road
Use the slight right lane.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 96 West: Lansing
31
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
·
this road
Toward I 96 West
32
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 696 East, M 5 East, I 96 East: Detroit
Use the slight left lane.
33
Merge onto M 5
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Haggerty Connector
34
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 96 East, I 275 South: Detroit, Toledo
35
Continue on I 275; I 96
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
I 275; I 96
36
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
Use the slight left lane.
37
Merge onto I 96
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Jeffries Freeway
Toward I 96 East: Livonia, Detroit
38
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 175
Toward Merriman Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Turn straight onto Schoolcraft Road
477 ft
·
14 sec
·
Schoolcraft Road
40
Turn right onto Merriman Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Merriman Road
41
Turn right
98 ft
·
9 sec
42
Turn right
31 ft
·
2 sec
43
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 1 hour and 56-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility for departure time and stops on this 78-mile route. Aiming for a mid-morning departure can help you avoid peak local traffic. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan your own brief breaks as needed, perhaps around the 13.3-mile longest stretch on State Road. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading out, as the estimated cost is only $12, so a full tank should easily cover the trip and then some.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39 miles from Vassar, MI, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 17 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Livonia, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Vassar, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Vassar, MI
This is one driving day of about 78 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Vassar, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on State Road for about 13.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39 mi from Vassar, MI · 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39 miles from Vassar, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Livonia, MI
The final approach into Livonia, MI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.19 one way
$24.39 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $13.39 | $26.78 |
| premium | $4.89 | $15.01 | $30.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.22 | $34.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.4 | 0 | $8.19 | $3.74 |
| Efficient EV | 19.5 | 0 | $6.82 | $3.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.2 | 0 | $10.92 | $4.99 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Livonia, MI
Late night in Livonia on Saturday
Local time
3:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 10 to 14 mph
84% chance
Live forecast
65°F
Ortonville, MI
39 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
30 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 56m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Vassar, MI to Livonia, MI covers 78 miles and takes about 1h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Road, South State Road, North State Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39 miles from Vassar, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.19 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78 miles you will encounter 24 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 50.8 miles (Williams Lake Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 58.6 miles (Richardson Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 63.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Vassar, MI and Livonia, MI, road signs point toward M 5 East, Toledo and Detroit.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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